If you purchased your Scoutguard SG550 prior to July 2008 then you might need to update your firmware.

Firmware is the 'computer program' installed on the chips in your game camera.  It controls how the camera operates and what it is capable of doing.  Occasionally firmware updates are provided for electronics that either enhance features, or correct problems.

The process of updating your firmware is easy with Scoutguards camera.  It is as simple as putting the update file on your SD card and inserting it in your computer.  Plug in the remote and power the camera on.  Follow the onscreen prompts, and wait for an update message to be displayed on your remote.  Pretty simple huh?  It only takes about 40 seconds to complete.

You can find the firmware update here:  Scoutguard Firmware Update

No Pictures?

Not getting any pictures on your game camera?  Then check the following:

First and foremost, check your batteries.  Some cameras will cease to take pictures when the batteries get low.  On some cameras, during low battery conditions, the camera may cease to take pictures at night but continue to take pictures during the day.  This is due to the fact that additional power may be required to charge and operate the flash.

Most SDRAM and CF memory cards have a write-protect switch on them.  The write protection switch does exactly what the name implies; it keeps data from being written to your memory card.  This option is present to protect data on your card.  It keeps files from being overwritten or erased.  Ensure that your memory card is not write protected.
Read more about troubleshooting your Game Camera

Game Camera Bait

In some states, the use of bait in a hunting area is not allowed. In other states, you are allowed to hunt right over a bait pile. Check your local laws before placing bait in the field.

Now that I have that disclaimer out of the way, I want to discuss some alternatives for trail camera baiting... I am lucky enough to live in a state that doesn't have baiting restrictions for deer hunting. I do make use of bait for deer in the vicinity of my scouting cameras. This increases the deer traffic, and increases the number of pictures I get. I typically use corn throughout the season in conjunction with a feeder, or just spread on the ground. I've noticed steadily increasing corn prices over the last few years. One nearby store sells corn for $10.00 per 50 pound bag. A less convenient place I frequent sells it for $7.50 per 50 pound bag. The use of a feeder helps the corn last longer, because the deer can't just camp out and feast all night.

So what are some lower cost alternatives for deer bait?

How about apples? I have a friend that has apple trees on his property. In the fall, he lets me come in and pick up all the apples that have hit the ground. While this is only an early season alternative, it is like candy for the deer and they will flock to it. This past fall, I collected a large number of apples. I double-bagged them in garbage bags, and froze several bags of them in my garage freezer. This allowed me to pull out a bag here and there throughout the late fall and winter to offer my deer a special treat.

I have a friend that uses horse feed pellets. I haven't tried it, but he says the deer seem to like it just as much as the corn, and it is priced half as much as corn at the local FeedersSupply stores. I think I'll be testing this next.

Agricultural / Feed Grade Salt blocks or Trace Mineral salt blocks work well and last a long time. These are typically used for cattle. The minerals in these salt blocks are good for antler development as well.

The Halite Salt or White Salt blocks work well too. White salt blocks are dirt cheap. These salt blocks tend to dissolve more quickly, but in my experience the deer seem to like them better and favor them over the trace mineral blocks. They aren't as good for the deer's antler development, but I use them because the deer like them.

There are some more expensive options that can be cost effective because they last longer. In this category I'd place products like Deer Cocaine and flavored lick blocks like apple corn mineral blocks and persimmon blocks.

This spring I'll be investigating planting some natural food plots. If I don't go overboard, I'm hoping that this will be a more cost effective solution to corn in the long run.

I caught this picture of this little buck over the last few days.  This pic came from a StealthCam that I have in a small wood lot behind my house in Kentucky.  I've caught pictures of this little guy several times over recent weeks.  Only this time, he was missing his right side.

I love to shed hunt, and each year, I let my game cameras tell me when it is time to hit the woods in search of freshly dropped antlers.  It looks like it is time...

Time to Shed Hunt!

Moultrie Camera Lock

Is your Moultrie Game Camera secure?
Will it still be in the woods when you return to check it?

Get a Moultrie Game Camera Lock and stop the worrying.

I was a victim of a game camera theft. It was my first game camera and I had it sitting smack dab in the middle of a 600 acre parcel of hardwoods I was leasing in a remote county. The thought that someone could steal my game cam never even crossed my mind. Well, it never crosses my mind anymore, because I won't set a game camera unless I have a lock for it. That first camera wasn't near as expensive as the game cameras I own now. I was lucky. Lucky because I learned my lesson by losing a less expensive camera.

The truth of the matter is that no game camera locking system will be capable of stopping every thief. The criminal with a set of lock cutters or a chainsaw is going to get what he is after. Most of the thefts that do occur are crimes of opportunity. Someone wanders past your game cam, and they end up walking off with it because it was an easy take.

Read More about Moultrie Game Camera Security Options

When I ask the question, "Does your Game Camera Stink?", I'm not asking if performs poorly, or doesn't work well?  I mean, "Does it smell?"

One tip that many hunters overlook is to wear gloves any time you have contact with your digital game camera in the field.  Everyone knows that deer have an incredible sense of smell.  There has been a huge market created around products that claim they will help you defeat a deer's sense of smell.  Open any hunting catalog and you will find scent cover sprays, scent killing sprays, scent-free soaps and shampoos, Scent-Lok hunting clothing, rubber boots, and even deodorants.  Deer will become spooked by human scent, and when they do, they are typically GONE!

Over the past season, I learned first hand the importance of using the same precautions when interacting with my game cameras, as I would if I were heading into the woods to hunt.  I have a couple of cameras in the woods behind my house.  Due to the close proximity, I was heading into the woods frequently to swap out memory cards to look at my pictures and videos.  I noticed that I was getting more and more videos of nervous deer.  The does appeared spooked, with their noses wildly sampling the air.  I also noticed that I was getting fewer pictures of the bucks that I had been seeing regularly in the area.  I started capturing more pictures of deer staring directly at my cameras (like the one below), or even nosing them.

When it dawned on me, I changed my act.  I started pulling on my rubber boots, scent-lok jacket, and wearing my gloves each time I would head into the woods to swap my memory cards.  I also tried to put my curiosity on hold and make fewer trips to my game cameras to swap out the cards.

The difference has been noticeable.  I'm getting more pictures and video of deer that appear less nervous.  I'm getting less pictures of deer staring at my cameras, or appearently spooked by its presence.  And most importantly, I'm getting more pictures of the bucks that I knew were cruising the area.  I believe that these bucks were more cautious than the does when detecting human scent, and were vacating the area before the does would.

So take this tip into consideration the next time you go hang a camera, or pull a memory card.  You will see a difference, and see more deer.

What's that Smell?